Improvement in letter-boxes



ANNA T. SINCLAIRE.

Improvement in Letter-Boxes Patented Nov. 5,1872.

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Witmm: I /62 (a; 72 Q AM. PHOTO -LIT/100RAPHI6 mmflossannzis rnucass) ANNA T. SINOLAIRE, OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

IMPROVEMENT IN LETTER-BOXE$.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 132,865, dated November 5, 1872.

To all whom it mag "concern:

Beit known that I, Miss .ANNAT. SINCLAIRE, of New York city, in the county and State of New York, have invented a new and Improved Letter-Box, of which the following is a speci fication:

Figure 1 represents a sectional elevation of my improved letter-box, showing the lid closed. Fig. 2 is a similar view of the same, showing the lid opened.

Similar letters of reference indicate corresponding parts.

This invention has for its object to construct a letter and newspaper drop-box, whose contents will be protected by afalse bottom whenever the lid is opened, so that the fraudulent removal of letters or papers is effectually prevented. The invention consists in forming the said false bottom of two hinged plates that are arranged within the box and connected with the lid, or secured in such manner as to overlap each other when the lid is opened, and drop apart when the same is closed.

A, in the drawing, represents a drop-box of suitable size or shape, and made of suitable material. a is the opening for inserting the letters or newspapers B, the lid or cover forclosing said opening. The lid is hinged in suitable manner, and is of suitable shape and size. The opening a is arranged either on a face or at the top of the drop-box. O and D are two plates hinged respectively to opposite sides of the drop-box, within the same, and extending from end to end of the box. These plates are, by rods 1) I), connected with the under side of the lid B in such manner that they are both carried up into a horizontal position whenever the lid is opened, as in Fig. 2. In this position the plate 0 will wholly or in 'part cover the plate D, as shown, both constituting a false bottom which fully protects the contents of the lower part of the box. The free end of the plate 0 is, by preference, slightly turned up or made convex, and the surface of D more or less concave, as shown. While the lid is being closed the convex end of 0 will remain in contact with the concave face of D until the lid is nearly quite closed, when they drop apart as in Fig. 1, to allow the matter inserted through the opening a to fall to the bottom of the box. The plates 0 D serve,

therefore, to completely protect the contents of the drop-box. They (the plates) are made of sheet metal or other suitable material, either solid or perforated, in single or more pieces, and are hinged in suitable manner and at suitable heights.

The plate 0 may be entirely disconnected from the lid and allowed to drop of its own accord, when the lid is closed, while it will be elevated by the plate D, when the lid is opened, the said plate D catching under the convex end of O to raise the same. The lid B is shown to be provided with a curved front plate or flange, cl, which, together with the side flanges e e, serve to close the opening a before the lid is shut down, and thereby to prevent the picking of the box at the moment when the plates 0 D are swinging apart. When the plates 0 D do not extend across the entire width of the box, but only occupy a portion of its lateral cross-section, it will be necessary to use pendentfianges on the top of the box, along the edges of the plates, for the purpose ofclosin g the space, otherwise formed, between the top and the plates 0 D at the ends of the latter.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent An article of manufacture, consisting of box A, hinged lid B, and hinged plates 0 D, attached to said lid by pivoted rods 11 b, and air ranged as and for the purpose described.

. ANNA T. SINOLAIBE.

Witnesses:

A. V. BRiEsEN. T. B. Mosnnn. 

